Applesauce Sold In Illinois Recalled Due To High Lead Levels

Back in December of last year, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced that they were launching an investigation into high, or elevated, levels of lead in apple cinnamon applesauce pouches sold under three brand names (Weis, WanaBana, and Schnucks) that were distributed by Amazon, Dollar Tree and some other online retailers.

That investigation and the subsequent recall of the applesauce products in question is still going on, and the number of people affected in Illinois and across the country continues to grow.

According to published reports, the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) says that there have been at least 16 reported cases of elevated blood levels of lead here in Illinois, one of 44 states with reported cases.

Not That Any Contamination Of A Food Product Should Be Ignored, But Elevated Lead Levels In A Food Product, Especially One That Kids Routinely Consume, Is Something To Be Very Concerned About

Here's what we know about the recall, according to the FDA's website:

• WanaBana Apple Cinnamon Fruit Purée Pouches were distributed nationwide through online and retail stores. The affected product information is WanaBana Apple Cinnamon Fruit Puree in 3-pack pouches of 2.5 ounces
• The product is also distributed independently in the US as private label brands under the names of Schnucks Apple Sauce 90g pouches with cinnamon. The affected Schnucks lots subject of the product recall were identified as 05023:19, 09023:22 and 09023:24
• Weis Cinnamon Apple Sauce 90g, reported an affected lot number 05023:28, which is also included in the product recall

If you suspect that your child or someone else in your household consumed one or all of these recalled products, the FDA says to be on the lookout for these symptoms of lead toxicity:

• Headache
• Abdominal pain/Colic
• Vomiting
• Anemia